Contact: Jonathan R. Goldman, 650-552-5365
David A. Sanchez, president of the 325,000-member California Teachers Association, released this statement today urging the governor to sign state Senate Bill 1460, the California Dream Act legislation:
“All high school graduates deserve a chance at a better future by attending a college or university. The inability to qualify for a loan because of their undocumented status should not stand in the way, as it now does for thousands of students who have qualified for a higher education.
“For that reason, we urge the governor to sign the ‘California Dream Act’ legislation on his desk, Senate Bill 1460. The immigration status of our students who graduate and have been accepted to schools in the University of California, California State University and Community College systems should not matter – and should not prevent them from earning a part of the American Dream.
“By signing this bill, the governor can join educators in the belief that public education is essential to helping all students contribute to a better future for our communities and our state.”
According to one estimate, there are more than 25,000 undocumented students who graduate every year from our high schools. Financing their college education is difficult for them because they are ineligible for federal grants or loans and are unable to legally work their way through college. SB 1460 will allow these students to participate in all student aid programs to help them make their dreams a reality, and to give back to society. It also extends this student aid access to all students who have graduated from California technical and adult schools.
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The 325,000-member California Teachers Association is affiliated with the 3.2 million-member National Education Association.